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Theodore Roosevelt writes to Lady Delamere after his return to the United States from Africa. He comments on Lord and Lady Delamere’s success and service in East Africa and their relations with England. Roosevelt also discusses his return to the United States. He comments on public expectations for him and expresses his thoughts on political power.
1911-03-07
Edmund Heller spoke with Charles D. Walcott, Secretary of the Smithsonian, and decided at the last minute to join Paul James Rainey’s expedition to Africa on behalf of the National Museum. He did not realize that Theodore Roosevelt had intended to write to Walcott requesting that Heller not go so that he could focus on writing reports on the specimens collected from his own African expedition. Heller explains that no other qualified man is available to go, and lists the ways that this expedition will assist him in finishing his work with Roosevelt’s collection. The paper on the white rhinoceros will be published before Heller goes, and he assures Roosevelt of his dedication to the work.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-09
Theodore Roosevelt tells Stewart Edward White that he has read White’s book Rediscovered Country about a hunting expedition in East Africa and was delighted by it. Roosevelt compares it to one of his own trips and earlier expeditions from European explorers including Sámuel Teleki, William Louis Abbott, and Arthur Henry Neumann. Roosevelt remarks that he felt better about bringing a camp chair on his South American expedition since White took one on his. Roosevelt notes how much the Wilson Administration is annoying him, and hopes that White and his wife Elizabeth White will visit soon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-04-06
Theodore Roosevelt hopes Sir Alfred E. Pease has acquired a copy of his book, America and the World War. Roosevelt is disappointed in the manner in which President Woodrow Wilson and Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan have responded to the World War. Roosevelt attributes their actions in response to the German occupation of Belgium to physical fear, a desire to placate the German vote, and a “twisted flabbiness of principle.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-02-06
L. J. Vanderbergh asks Theodore Roosevelt to meet and talk about mutual friends in Uganda and British East Africa. He is only available until 5:15 p.m.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04-09
President Taft wishes Theodore Roosevelt well on his African safari and discusses the strangeness of being referred to as “Mr. President.” He compares his presidential and political prospects with what Roosevelt achieved in office and assures Roosevelt that he plans on furthering the same agenda.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-03-21
Alfred E. Pease discusses the possibility of President Roosevelt’s shooting gazelle, wildebeest, hartebeast, and lions while at his ranch. He includes excerpts of letters from his manager, describing a hunt of several lions there.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-15
Edward North Buxton assures President Roosevelt that he enjoys planning Roosevelt’s trip to Africa, and that there is no need to thank him. He discusses the supplies, including boots, that he is arranging for Roosevelt. Buxton has nothing more to say about Roosevelt’s decision to hire a white man to lead his trip, although he expresses his concerns about having too many white men in the party. He also suggests limiting the number of guns and shooters to two. He discusses which native guides Roosevelt should hire, and the merits of Roosevelt hiring them himself, rather than delegating it to his head man.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-13
Leslie J. Tarlton thanks Edward North Buxton for news of President Roosevelt’s trip. They will show Roosevelt a good time, and Tarlton agrees with the plan for the Kapiti plains. He updates Buxton on the local situation between the settlers and the officials, and describes his new house. Tarlton looks forward to visiting the Buxtons and discussing many things, including the situation with the immigration of the Boers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-13
Alfred E. Pease relays information to President Roosevelt about an ideal location in East Africa for hunting big game.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-22
E. Wellesley Ashe has heard that President Roosevelt intends to visit Kenya for big game hunting and invites him to hunt on his land.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-11
Kermit Roosevelt writes Theodore Roosevelt and exclaims the convention must have been “extraordinary.” He informs Roosevelt that Rudyard Kipling placed a bet on Roosevelt during the Republican primaries against an American who thought he was dead. Kermit Roosevelt and Helen Robinson Roosevelt visited Frederick Courteney Selous and learned his trip to British East Africa was very successful although he had a close call with a buffalo. Kermit tells his father that Edmund Heller is fine and an intelligent progressive.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-1919
Theodore Roosevelt fords a river in Kenya on horseback, with other members of the hunting party following on foot. In another scene, Roosevelt inspects a firearm held by another member of the party.
Sherman Grinberg Film Collection
1910
Theodore Roosevelt always knew George von Lengerke Meyer would do well as head of the Navy and congratulates him on his speech. Roosevelt describes the luck he has had hunting on African safari and the numbers and types of animals shot, 33 in total for Roosevelt, and 27 for his son Kermit Roosevelt. The elder Roosevelt apologizes for the short pencil-written letter and sends well wishes to Meyer’s wife, Marian Alice Appleton Meyer.
Massachusetts Historical Society
1909-09-10
This postcard is part of the Roosevelt Tour series, with an image of a forest on the front. Reverse has the description: “THE TROPIC JUNGLE. This is a characteristic photograph of the jungle lands of the coast country and of Uganda. Col. Roosevelt is doing most of his hunting, however, on the plains of Athi in the Masai country, which is in the belt between. There is not as much big game in the Uganda country owing to the fact that there is a greater native population there. In the central plateau, half the population was decimated in recent years by the sleeping sickness, caused by the deadly tse-tse fly.”
1909
Postcard is number sixteen in a series. Image of Theodore Roosevelt and hunting group standing over a felled lion. Description on reverse: “LION HUNT ON ATHI PLAINS. –Lions abound in great numbers in the Athi District, and carefully organized hunts are of frequent occurrence. The native beaters surround a portion of the plain and then drive the lions toward the hunter. Occasionally a native is forced to engage in a close-range fight with the “King of Beasts,” and is fortunate if he escapes with his life. In this instance, however, the lion was killed instantly, the spear having gone through the chest and out at the side.” Transcription of correspondence: “Hello how are you hope you are better by this time We are all right let me hear from you soon Your Aunts S. M. B. B. Kable.”
1924-10-10
After his presidency, Theodore Roosevelt took part in a safari through parts of eastern and central Africa, funded and organized by the Smithsonian Institution. In this film, Roosevelt and members of his party appear in different locations, all probably in the vicinity of Mt. Kenya, British East Africa (Kenya), in 1909. There are views of Kikuyu and/or Masai ritual dances, shots of Roosevelt and party with tribesmen, campsite porters busy at work, and Roosevelt on horseback. The film also contains several views of what is probably part of the large Kikuyu dance performed in Roosevelt’s honor at Nyeri in August, with a small number of Masai also participating. There is a view of large number of what may be Masai women ceremonially forming circle, through which men with shields pass.
Library of Congress Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound
1909
Kermit Roosevelt describes his travels in Africa. He has hunted giraffe, lion, and cheetah. There have been issues with smallpox, particularly among their native guides.
1910-02-05
Theodore and Kermit Roosevelt are comfortable and in fine health. Roosevelt believes Kermit is a bit too daring, but Kermit’s marksmanship is improving, and they are enjoying great success. Roosevelt states that he has sent six chapters of his book to Scribner’s, but he has not looked at a newspaper since he left home.
1909-06-21